5 Things You Didn't Know About Pit Bulls

Pit Bulls Get A Bad Rap - Here's Why It's Time To Change Our Minds About Them

There's no canine out there quite as controversial as the pit bull. Many perceive it as an unpredictable and dangerous domesticated dog, a popular consensus that has led to pit bull bans in some communities (such as the city of Denver). Others protest that the breed has gotten the bum's rush at every turn, and that pit bulls are in fact very much misunderstood.

So what's the real deal? Are pit bulls really dangerous animals that should be feared? Or are they actually mild-tempered family dogs that only transform into monsters in the hands of a negligent owner?

Getting a perspective on this debate requires some knowledge of the underlying facts. Here are five that you didn't know about.

1. Three Factors Determine Canine Aggression

Perhaps the greatest point of debate regarding the pit bull is whether its headline-grabbing aggression is the product of genetics or of learned behavior. A study of 431 fatal dog attacks that occurred between 1965 and 2001 concluded that there are actually three factors that determine the aggressiveness of a dog, be it a pit bull or a cocker spaniel.

A. Function of the dog: Dogs behave differently depending on the environment in which they are raised and the function they perform; for example, a family pet will display a different temperament than a guard dog. Pit bulls are often mistakenly used to guard a house or business, but research has shown that these extremely sociable dogs do not make for very good guards. They are too distracted by other animals and humans to perform this duty properly. As a result, pit bulls that are placed into these situations will often exhibit abnormal behavior.

B. Owner responsibility: How attentive and responsive an owner is toward his dog greatly influences that dog's behavior. This is perhaps most evident when one encounters an animal that was abused by a previous owner, and is high-strung and timid as a result. The pit bull is known as a high-maintenance pet; it is extremely friendly, but also attention-craving with protective tendencies. Thus, an owner looking for a tough dog as a status symbol and not as a loved companion should not adopt a pit bull, since neglect of this breed may adversely affect its behavior.

C. Reproductive status: Male and female pit bulls behave differently toward other animals and toward each other. Males are known to be more fiery and in possession of shorter tempers. Nonetheless, it has been recorded that female vs. female pit bull fights are more violent than male ones. Generally, same-sex pairings of pit bulls are not recommended within a single household, as frequent dog bouts could result.

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